Hometown: Brandsville, MO
Currently Resides: Springfield, MO
Occupation: Full-time student/part-time customer service rep at Great Southern Bank
All Degrees: Associate of Arts in General Studies, Missouri State-West Plains, May 2018; currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education-English at Missouri State University-Springfield, anticipated graduation in fall 2020
“I think the challenge is really what makes you grow as a person.”
After considering many other options, Rosemary Driscoll decided that a smaller school like Missouri State University-West Plains would be the best fit for her. It could provide her with many amazing opportunities.
One of these opportunities was as an intern at Liaoning Normal University in Dalian, China. In her two years as a student at Missouri State-West Plains, she visited seven different countries.
“This was such a challenging experience, but it was incredible at the same time. I met so many new and different people while I was abroad who helped me gain a whole new perspective on life,” Driscoll said. “Going to China taught me what it means to have a global family.
“Because I went abroad and met so many new people and my perspective changed so much, I was of brought down off the cloud I was floating on and started learning how to channel my energy into things that I am genuinely passionate about. I actually know what I want and I know it’s possible to achieve my dreams,” Driscoll continued. “I have always wanted to travel and that never would have been possible without attending Missouri State-West Plains.”
“Smaller class sizes taught me how to engage in the classroom and how to ask for help when I needed it.”
Like many students, Driscoll was unsure of what she wanted to do at first. Working as a Student Ambassador, giving tours to prospective students and helping with events led her to realize she was passionate about teaching and helping others.
“Teaching is also about the community that you are in. In West Plains, there are so many amazing teachers who create positive learning communities within their classrooms,” Driscoll said. “Students who attend these classes learn to be positive and open minded, and they begin putting the same energy into their community. It starts with small ripples that consistently grow to build a stronger community.”
The Darr Honors program was another key factor in her college experience at Missouri State-West Plains. “I was presented with so many opportunities throughout my experience in Honors to really challenge myself and what I was directing my energy into. I am very proud of my academic achievements,” Driscoll continued.
What’s Driscoll’s advice for future and prospective students? “Whatever it is that you want, go for it! Just remember that big dreams start from the ground up, and they take hard work,” she said.